Haylage heating up.

[Housemouse]

When a haylage bale starts to heat up, it is obviously the work of microbes. What exactly is happening?
Of course once the haylage is 'cooked' you have to throw it away, but up to what point can you safely use it?
What are the problems with feeding it (other than the horses not liking it)?

 

[ROMANY 1959]

One bale our yard opened Friday, got so wet with rain, it stinks today and will have to be dumped, a bale would normaly last 4 days once opened at our yard, would be gone in 3 days anyway!!!

 

[*hic*]

No idea on the technical side but if you split the bale and stand sections up it will cool and dry and be useable for longer.

 

[little_critter]

Mine started to warm up at the weekend. I fluffed it all up and it's cooled down. Pony is still happy to eat it, I think I caught it early enough

 

[Rose Folly]

As Dee O'Dorant says. Open it up, spread it or divide it, and it will dry out. But act quickly.